Originally posted by Diunic
Coll. Although he's never full powered. Rare exceptions.
Actually, most times we see him nowadays is always considered 'avatars' casted by his real form, every one of his losses save the recent losses to Superman, are all retconned as not even him. He has on panel declared that while his avatars 'can be defeated', true Darkseid never has.
And many years ago, Darkseid was always full powered. He even shows glimpses of it from time to time, such as bending time and space around the god Ares who was tapping the full power of the godwave [the source of nearly all power/s.] rendering him unable to move. Or helping destroy Imperiex. Or turning Secret into a mortal. Just for a couple examples.